“Every age has its storytelling form, and video gaming is a huge part of our culture. You can ignore or embrace video games and imbue them with the best artistic quality. People are enthralled with video games in the same way as other people love the cinema or theatre.”~Andy Serkis

Today, gamers are seen as brain dead humans who are enslaved by their passion. Most people to don’t care to look deeper into how these games actually effect us. They say it induces violence, kills brain cells, is addicting, and ruins our lives. Although all we get from video games is joy. Gamers are mostly look down upon as lonely nerds who are throwing their life away. Yet, gamers are almost never like that. And the negative label on gaming is unnecessary and untrue. The countless rolling-on-the-floor laughing moments are a more important part of gaming than any killing, and those moments happen seamlessly from miles apart or sharing a table.

It is our hope that tomorrow, gamers are viewed as mainstream, a common passion that is embraced by all. Our little group is already there. Enabled by our parents and their bank accounts, a little niche of our school community has been carved out by the gamers. Regardless of platform, we have intellectual discussions and laugh until our sides hurt. Outside of school, we will bring our PCs and laptops and monitors to each other’s houses and game the nights away. Our band of brothers would seem way out of place in any other setting. A varsity football quarterback, two stereotypically nerdy kids, and two other kids who fit none of your social boxes. The only thing that differentiates us when we are online is who has the shotgun and who has the sniper rifle.

The magic in one of our basements on most Saturday nights is tangible. From the electronic glow of 5 computer screens and illuminated mice and keyboards to the wires crisscrossing the room, we are happy. (Our parents are surprised when the electric bill comes in at three times the normal amount.) We are arguing, shouting, laughing, and gaming. Not only are we in touch with old friends, we are in touch with each other. These bonds are stronger than all but family. We are a family. Misfits, outcasts, nerds and football players, we are a ragtag bunch of people with better friendships and something to look forward to, regardless of whether we are in one basement or in 5. I don’t think that any of us will ever look back on this adventure and remember anything but bliss.

So this is our message to the haters and people looking for a scapegoat. Let me be me and stop blaming gaming and gamers and games for life’s problems. Because at the heart of it all, are people enjoying themselves, and who are we to stop that.

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Gaming: Through the Eyes of a Gamer

“Every age has its storytelling form, and video gaming is a huge part of our culture. You can ignore or embrace video games and imbue them with the best artistic quality. People are enthralled with video games in the same way as other people love the cinema or theatre.”~Andy Serkis

Today, gamers are seen as brain dead humans who are enslaved by their passion. Most people to don’t care to look deeper into how these games actually effect us. They say it induces violence, kills brain cells, is addicting, and ruins our lives. Although all we get from video games is joy. Gamers are mostly look down upon as lonely nerds who are throwing their life away. Yet, gamers are almost never like that. And the negative label on gaming is unnecessary and untrue. The countless rolling-on-the-floor laughing moments are a more important part of gaming than any killing, and those moments happen seamlessly from miles apart or sharing a table.

It is our hope that tomorrow, gamers are viewed as mainstream, a common passion that is embraced by all. Our little group is already there. Enabled by our parents and their bank accounts, a little niche of our school community has been carved out by the gamers. Regardless of platform, we have intellectual discussions and laugh until our sides hurt. Outside of school, we will bring our PCs and laptops and monitors to each other’s houses and game the nights away. Our band of brothers would seem way out of place in any other setting. A varsity football quarterback, two stereotypically nerdy kids, and two other kids who fit none of your social boxes. The only thing that differentiates us when we are online is who has the shotgun and who has the sniper rifle.

The magic in one of our basements on most Saturday nights is tangible. From the electronic glow of 5 computer screens and illuminated mice and keyboards to the wires crisscrossing the room, we are happy. (Our parents are surprised when the electric bill comes in at three times the normal amount.) We are arguing, shouting, laughing, and gaming. Not only are we in touch with old friends, we are in touch with each other. These bonds are stronger than all but family. We are a family. Misfits, outcasts, nerds and football players, we are a ragtag bunch of people with better friendships and something to look forward to, regardless of whether we are in one basement or in 5. I don’t think that any of us will ever look back on this adventure and remember anything but bliss.

So this is our message to the haters and people looking for a scapegoat. Let me be me and stop blaming gaming and gamers and games for life’s problems. Because at the heart of it all, are people enjoying themselves, and who are we to stop that.